Section 2 Interaction between the Ministry of Defense and the
SDF, and Local Communities and Japanese Citizens
The various activities of the MOD/SDF cannot all be carried out by themselves. They only
become possible with the understanding and cooperation of individual citizens, municipal
governments, and other organizations. The new National Defense Program, Guidelines states
that the MOD and the SDF will further strengthen collaboration with relevant organizations,
including local governments, the police and the fire service, in order to enable the SDF to
provide accurate to various situations. Moreover, the MOD/SDF have been conducting various
cooperation activities to support the lives of nationals, as well as striving to minimize the impact
of the establishment and operation of defense facilities1 on the lives of surrounding citizens.
Such activities are further deepening the mutual trust between the local community and the
people, and the SDF, and greatly contributing to maintaining and revitalizing local communities.
1 Collaboration with Local Communities
1 Activities in Civic Life and Contributions to Society
The SDF conducts activities to support the lives of the citizens in a range of fields relating to the
population, upon request from municipal governments and relevant organizations. Such
activities are further deepening the mutual trust between the local community and the people,
and the SDF, and providing SDF personnel with the pride and self-confidence that comes with
their continual usefulness to the lives of citizens.
Even today, the GSDF still handles the disposal of unexploded ordnance found throughout
Japan. In FY2013, there were 1,560 such cases, weighing about 57.1 tons in total. In particular,
cases handled in Okinawa Prefecture accounted for about 40% of the total. Furthermore, the
MSDF continues to clear and dispose of underwater mines and other dangerous explosives. In
FY2013, there were approximately 333 explosives, totaling about 4.8 tons. In addition, most of
the SDF camps and bases in Japan allow access to their facilities by municipal governments and
neighboring residents upon request, unless the requests interfere with unit activities.
Furthermore, SDF musical bands visit brass bands of local schools to give them instruction, thus
striving to foster friendly interaction with local residents.
In addition to the above, the MOD/SDF is aiding the transport, communication and so forth at a
1
The generic term for facilities used by the SDF and the facilities and areas used by the U.S. Forces in
Japan based on the Japan–U.S. Security Treaty. It refers to training areas, airfields, ports, communication
stations, barracks, warehouses, ammunition depots, oil bunkers; and so on.
variety of athletic events, such as marathons and relay races, in response to requests from the
relevant organizations. In addition to providing general medical care at the National Defense
Medical College and some other SDF hospitals, it supports regional medical treatment efforts,
by conducting the urgent transport of emergency patients from isolated islands that lack
sufficient treatment facilities (the Nansei Islands, Goto Islands, Izu Oshima, Ogasawara Islands,
etc.) by SDF rescue aircraft. Furthermore, based on the policy of contracts between the country
and its small-and-medium enterprises, it ensures opportunities for these enterprises to receive
orders, while taking efficiency into account.
See ▶ Reference70 (Activities in Civic Life); Reference 71(Activities Contributing to Society)
2 Cooperation from Municipal Governments and Other Related Organizations for the SDF
(1) Cooperation in Recruitment of Uniformed SDF Personnel and Support for Outplacement
Amid the recent harsh recruitment and employment situation, the cooperation of local
government and relevant organizations is vital to secure highly qualified personnel and to assist
the outplacement of uniformed SDF personnel who retire in compliance with early retirement
system of SDF.
(2) Support and Cooperation for SDF Activities
SDF camps and bases are located in all prefectures, and maintain close relations with the local
communities. Various forms of cooperation and support from the local communities, such as
close coordination with local government, are indispensable for the SDF to conduct diverse
activities including training exercises and disaster dispatch. Moreover, units dispatched overseas
for international peace cooperation and other duties, receive support and assistance from the
relevant organizations for the procedures involved.
In addition to this kind of support and cooperation from local communities, many letters of
encouragement are sent by the people to SDF personnel engaging in international peace
cooperation activities, which raise the morale of SDF personnel and reinforce their awareness of
serving the people of Japan.
3 Activities for Securing Understanding and Cooperation of Municipal Governments and Local
Residents
Regional Defense Bureaus make efforts to build cooperative relationships with local
communities through various activities, in collaboration with SDF units and Provincial
Cooperation Offices.
In concrete terms, Regional Defense Bureaus hold seminars on defense issues for local residents
and give briefings on the defense white papers to municipal governments, with an aim of
gaining the understanding of defense policies from the general public. They also hold
Japan–U.S. friendship programs, which have promoted exchanges between Japanese citizens
living near the U.S. facilities and areas in Japan and U.S. Forces personnel and their families
through sports and culture. On the occasion of the reorganization of U.S. Forces and of SDF
units, deployment of equipment, and implementation of military training, Regional Defense
Bureaus provide necessary explanations and coordination for the related municipal governments,
so as to gain their understanding of these measures. Furthermore, in the event of a large-scale
disaster, accident, or any other emergency situation, Regional Defense Bureaus conduct liaison
and coordination with the related municipal governments as necessary. When North Korea
launched missiles that they purported to be “satellites” in April and December 2012, the bureaus
conducted liaison and coordination with the related local public entities for the deployment of
the Patriot PAC-3 units in Okinawa Prefecture and the Metropolitan Tokyo area, through
collaboration with the MOD and other SDF units.
4 Measures to Promote Harmony between Defense Facilities and Surrounding Areas
(1) Scale and Features of Defense Facilities
The uses of defense facilities are diverse, from maneuver areas and airfields to ports and
barracks, and they often require large volumes of land. The land area of defense facilities as of
January 1, 2014, is approximately 1,400 km2 (the sum of the land area of SDF facilities, the land
area of the facilities and areas (for exclusive use) of the U.S. Forces in Japan, and the land area
of facilities other than SDF facilities which the U.S. Forces in Japan are jointly using under the
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement), which accounts for approximately 0.37% of the
country’s land. Of this, approximately 42% of the land area of SDF facilities is situated in
Hokkaido. Divided by use, approximately 75% of this is maneuver areas. Meanwhile, around
24% of the land area of the facilities and areas (for exclusive use) of the U.S. Forces in Japan is
jointly used by the SDF under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. Due to Japan’s
geographical characteristics, there are some cities and industrial facilities that must coexist with
defense facilities on narrow plains. In particular, problems related to restricted presence and
operations of defense facilities have emerged due to the urbanization of areas around many
defense facilities as a result of economic development. Also, noise related to frequent takeoffs
and landings by aircraft, firing, bombing, gunshots from artillery, tank operations, and so on
raises concern in local residential communities over its effect on the living environment.
See ▶ Fig. IV-2-2-1 (Status of SDF Facilities (Land Plots)); Fig. IV-2-2-2 (Status of Facilities and Areas of U.S.
Forces in Japan (Exclusively Used Facilities))
(2) Initiatives to Promote Harmony between Defense Facilities and Surrounding Areas
Defense facilities, as bases which support the defense capabilities of Japan and the Japan–U.S.
Security Arrangements, are indispensable to the country’s security. The MOD has been securing
harmony between the defense facilities and surrounding areas in order to fully maintain those
capabilities, and working to obtain the understanding and cooperation of the local residents, as it
is necessary to constantly maintain conditions for stable utilization. For that purpose, the MOD
has taken Measures to Promote Harmony between Defense Facilities and Surrounding Areas
since 1974, based on the Act Concerning Adjustment, etc. of the Living Environment in the
Environs of Defense Facilities (Living Environment Improvement Act).
See ▶ Fig.IV-2-2-3 (Measures for Harmony Between Defense Facilities and Surrounding Areas)
See ▶ Reference 72 (Outline of Measures to Improve the Living Environment in the Areas Surrounding Defense
Facilities)
a. Measures of the Act on Improvement of Living Environment of Areas Around Defense
Facilities
Based on the Act on Improvement of Living Environment of Areas Around Defense Facilities,
the MOD has been undertaking various measures to prevent, alleviate, mitigate impediment
such as aircraft noise caused in the surrounding areas by the SDF or U.S. Forces activities, or by
establishing and operating defense facilities including airfields.
In regard to measures based on the Act, given that demand received from relevant municipal
governments is strong, in 2011, the MOD partially revised the Living Environment
Improvement Act and conducted a review to make it possible for the specified defense facilities
environs improvement adjustment grants to be applied to so-called soft projects, such as aid for
medical expenses, as well as their conventional purpose focused on the improvement of public
facilities, and to make the measures more effective and more convenient for the related
municipal organizations. In addition, the MOD added defense facilities which can be designated
as specified defense facilities intended for delivery of grants. Focused work is also underway to
provide residential sound insulation, as a part of further progress in construction efforts.
In consideration of opinions summarized at the Administrative Project Review which was held
in November, 2013 regarding the specified defense facilities environs improvement adjustment
grants, that “the Ministry of Defense should advance efforts to ensure thorough application of
the PDCA cycle 2 , by ascertaining the situation regarding use by target facilities and the
implementation of funding, making grant eligibility stricter, with respect for instance to
providing extra for basic administrative services, establishing specific rules regarding the PDCA
cycle, and so forth. In addition, efforts should be made to ensure the thorough implementation
of activities to enhance notification to local residents about the grants,” the Ministry of Defense
aims to implement the efforts required to fully engage in these areas, and increase the effects of
the grants.
See ▶ Reference 73 (Partial revision of the Act Concerning Adjustment, etc. of the Living Environment in the
Environs of Defense Facilities )
b. Considerations for Future Harmonization of Defense Facilities and Surrounding Areas
The MOD is fully considering ways to more effectively and efficiently develop measures to
harmonize defense facilities and surrounding areas, in light of the severe fiscal situation, based
on requests by related municipal governments.
See ▶ Fig. IV-2-2-4 (FY2014 Costs for Countermeasures in Areas Near Bases (Based on Expenditures))
2 Initiatives to Mitigate the Local Impact of the Stationing of USFJ
1 Initiatives for the Use of Lands Previously Provided for Use by the Stationed Forces
For the return of lands in Okinawa provided for use by the USFJ (hereinafter, “USFJ Land”),
the “Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Effective and Appropriate Use of the
Lands in Okinawa Prefecture Previously Provided for Use by the Stationed Forces” stipulates
various measures concerning the USFJ Land agreed to be returned. Mainly, the MOD: (1)
conducts mediation in relation to access for surveys, etc. to be implemented by prefectural
governments and local municipalities on the USFJ Land which are agreed to be returned; (2)
conducts measures applying to all the returned lands to remove impediments for use such as soil
contamination and unexploded ordnance, not only those caused by the activities of the stationed
forces, before handing over the land to the owners of former USFJ Land; and (3) provides
financial benefits to alleviate the impact on the owners of the returned lands and to promote use
of the land.
The MOD will continue its initiatives to promote the effective and appropriate use of returned
lands by coordinating and cooperating with related ministries, prefectural government and local
municipalities.
2
A method of managing the work process. By repeating the four stages of actions, plan→do→check→
act, the process is subjected to continual improvement.
2 Measures to Mitigate the Impacts of USFJ Facilities and Areas
(1) Initiatives to Conserve the Environments Around USFJ Facilities and Areas
At the “2+2” meeting in September 2000, based on the recognition that environmental
conservation is important, the governments of both nations agreed to make it a common
objective to ensure the health and safety of residents in the vicinity of USFJ facilities and areas,
U.S. Forces personnel, their families and other such parties, and made the “Joint Statement of
Environmental Principles3.” To follow up on this announcement, Japan-U.S. consultation was
enhanced. Specifically, relevant ministries are collaborating in initiatives on enhancing
cooperation in regular review of the Japan Environmental Governing Standards (JEGS) 4 ,
information exchanges on the environment, and responses against environmental pollution.
Additionally, at the “2+2” meeting in May 2010, from the perspective of shared responsibility
for environmental conservation, Japan and the United States instructed their staffs to discuss the
possibility of taking a “Green Alliance” approach for the U.S. Forces facilities and areas in
Japan, and the adoption of renewable energy for U.S. bases under development in Japan as one
of the elements of the Host Nation Support (HNS) was reviewed, along with other issues. The
result was reflected in the comprehensive review of HNS.
On December 25, 2013, the governments of both Japan and the U.S. announced the “Joint
Announcement on a Framework Regarding Environmental Stewardship at U.S. Armed Forces
Facilities and Areas in Japan.” The governments commenced discussions aimed at the creation
of a framework for increased initiatives in managing the environment associated with USFJ
facilities and areas, and are considering, amongst other things, the establishment of an
agreement to supplement the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement.
As for the implementation of the Futenma Replacement Facility project, it was determined to
take maximum environmental conservation measures in order to avoid or reduce impacts on the
environment as much as possible. Such measures include consideration and implementation of
measures to improve environmental conditions to make them suitable for sea turtles to come
onto land and lay eggs, the transplanting of corals and seaweeds, periodic aircraft-based
3
Consisting of four items; (1) environmental governing standards, (2) information sharing and access,
(3) response to environmental contamination, and (4) environmental consultation.
4
JEGS is an environmental standard compiled by USFJ in order to ensure that USFJ activities and
installations protect the natural environment of people and health, and stipulates the handling of
environmental pollutants and storage methods within the facilities and areas.
checking for the habitant of dugongs, and the use of rubble5 for land-fill material, which is
produced regardless of the project; it was also determined to engage in other enhanced
initiatives such as follow-up surveys. In order to implement these measures, an environmental
monitoring committee was established to ask for advice and guidance by specialists and experts,
as was considered when approval was given by the governor of Okinawa Prefecture for the
reclamation. In addition, where necessary, environmental conservation measures will be
improved and the range of surveys will be expanded to make sure all possible measures will be
taken.
(2) Other Measures
Japan is engaged in steps for the improvement of the living environment in regions surrounding
USFJ facilities and areas. It also provides municipalities with base grants6 which have alternate
features in terms of municipal tax on real estate.
See ▶ Section 1-4 (Measures to Promote Harmony between Defense Facilities and Surrounding Areas)
Moreover, in the vicinities of USFJ facilities and areas, incidents and accidents caused by U.S.
Forces personnel and others have affected local areas and their residents, so the Government of
Japan has requested USFJ to take effective measures for the prevention of recurrence, such as
educating military personnel and others, and enforcing strict discipline among them. The
Government of Japan is cooperating with USFJ in these preventive measures; at the same time it
has taken measures for prompt and appropriate compensation for the damage caused by the
incidents and accidents.
Responding to the gang rape resulting in bodily injury case caused by two U.S. Navy service
members in Okinawa in October, 2012, the United States reviewed its guidelines for off-duty
action (liberty policy) and introduced a new liberty policy in February 2013. Because ceaseless
initiatives by the people involved is important for the prevention of incidents and accidents
involving U.S. Forces personnel, the MOD will continue efforts to prevent incidents and
accidents involving U.S. Forces personnel based on feedback from the communities and
institutions involved.
3 Public Relations Activities, Information Disclosure, and Related Activities
1 Various Public Relations Activities
5
6
Byproduct created in producing broken stones at the quarry.
Furnished by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
The activities of the MOD/SDF to protect the peace and security of Japan cannot be carried out
without the understanding and support of the Japanese people. For this reason, it is important to
be proactive in undertaking easily comprehensible public relations activities and to gain the trust
and cooperation of the public.
The public expectations and evaluations towards the SDF have been increasing as the scope of
MOD/SDF activities has expanded both domestically and internationally, including international
peace cooperation activities in the Republic of South Sudan, antipiracy operations off the coast
of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, and domestic disaster relief activities for the Great East
Japan Earthquake.
With regard to this point, in a “Public Opinion Survey” conducted by the Cabinet Office in
January 2012, 91.7% of nationals – the highest rate since the survey began – replied that they
“have a positive impression7” of the SDF. In addition, 97.7% responded that they “appreciate8”
the SDF’s disaster relief activities for the Great East Japan Earthquake, while 87.4% responded
that they “appreciate9” the SDF’s activities overseas.
In light of this vitalization of MOD/SDF activities, and the high level of expectations and
support for the SDF among the public, the MOD/SDF will continue to conduct a variety of PR
activities, thereby striving to ensure better understanding of the current status of the SDF.
See ▶ Reference 74 (“Public Opinion Survey on the Self Defense Forces and Defense Issues” (excerpt) )
(1) Website and Brochures
The MOD/SDF conducts PR activities using a wide variety of media, including providing
information, gathering public opinions, distributing PR videos via the Internet, and broadcasting
commercial films for each SDF service. As for the recent activities, the MOD/SDF has
enhanced its function to communicate information via social media such as Facebook and
Twitter. The MOD also provides some of its website content in an optimized form for
smartphones.
The MOD has been making great efforts to provide accurate information on the SDF and
national defense to all levels of nationals in a more extensive and timely fashion, in forms such
The figure for “Have a positive impression” is the total of the responses “Have a positive impression”
and “Tend to have a positive impression.”
8
The figure for “appreciate” is the total of the responses “highly appreciate” and “appreciate to a certain
degree”.
9
The figure for “appreciate” is the total of the responses “highly appreciate” and “appreciate to a certain
degree”.
7
as production and distribution of brochures and PR videos which explain MOD policies and the
activities of the SDF, manga edition of the defense white paper which targets younger readers,
cooperation on media coverage, and assistance in editing the PR magazine MAMOR.
Furthermore, as SDF activities overseas have been expanding, the international community is
increasingly interested in the MOD/SDF. In light of such circumstances, the MOD has been
engaged in initiatives to transmit information to the international community through activities
such as publishing the monthly English magazine, “Japan Defense Focus,” which is distributed
to foreign embassies in Japan as well as to Japanese embassies abroad, thereby helping people
in foreign countries understand more about the MOD/SDF initiatives. It is proactively
transmitting information to the international community through efforts such as providing
foreign media with opportunities to cover stories, through participation in regular press
conferences, enhancement of the English section of the MOD website, publishing an English
version of the defense white paper, and producing various policy brochures and PR videos in
English.
(2) Events and PR Facilities
The MOD/SDF conducts activities to inform nationals of the current circumstances of the SDF.
These activities include the annual GSDF Fuji Fire Power Exercise conducted at the foot of Mt.
Fuji, cruises to experience MSDF vessels throughout Japan, and demonstration flights and
boarding experiences on aircraft at open base festivals at ASDF bases. In addition, at camps and
bases throughout the country, events including equipment exhibitions, unit tours, and SDF band
concerts are held on occasions such as the anniversary of a unit’s foundation. In some instances,
they also hold parades throughout the cities both in vehicles and on foot, with cooperation from
the local communities. Furthermore, in commemoration of the anniversary of the SDF, the SDF
Marching Festival is held at Nippon Budokan arena every year. The festival attracted
approximately 35,000 visitors in total last year.
Concerning annual reviews by the SDF, a troop review, a fleet review, and an air review are
hosted in rotation by the GSDF, MSDF, and ASDF respectively, at which SDF equipment and
achievements in daily training are exhibited to the public. In 2013, a fleet review was hosted by
the GSDF at the Asaka training site. Around 33,000 people attended the review and the
rehearsal. In 2014, a ceremony was held in May to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the
ASDF. In addition, an air review commemorating the 60th anniversary of the MOD/SDF is
planned to be held for late October at Hyakuri Base.
The MOD/ SDF also actively opens PR facilities to the public. For instance, the PR facilities in
the MOD at Ichigaya are open to visitors on two guided tours each weekday, one in the morning
and afternoon. The number of visitors reached 340,000 as of the end of June 2014.
In addition, the MOD/SDF provides cooperation for shooting films (“Sukuitai! Doctor's Wish”,
“Blue Impulse” and “THE NEXT GENERATION-PATLABOR-” and “Kokunan 3.11 the Great
East Japan Earthquake.”
Furthermore, each SDF service has a large-scale PR facility. The SDF camps and bases
throughout Japan have also made PR facilities and archives open to the public.
In recent years, students from junior high schools and high schools in areas struck by disasters
such as the Great East Japan Earthquake have visited the MOD to express their gratitude for
disaster relief operations. The Ministry of Defense is taking advantage of opportunities such as
this to encourage understanding of defense issues among young people, by showing them
around JGSDF Camp Ichigaya, and other such efforts.
(3) Trial Enlistment Programs
The MOD/SDF offers SDF Life Experience Tours10 and Enlistment Experience Programs11 at
the request of private companies, etc. These programs are intended to deepen their
understanding of the SDF by offering the opportunity to experience the daily life and training of
the SDF, as well as to have direct contact with SDF members, by staying at an SDF camp or
base for two to three days. In FY2014, approx. 170 persons participated in SDF Life Experience
Tours. From private sectors, the SDF received approx. 1,300 requests for Enlistment Experience
Programs, and approx. 27,000 employees experienced SDF life.
2 Initiatives for Information Disclosure
(1) Appropriate Operation of the Information Disclosure System and Personal Data Protection
System
In accordance with the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs in 2001,
the MOD discloses its administrative documents properly. In the light of respecting individual
rights in line with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative
Organs, the MOD takes measures to ensure the security of the personal information under its
10
Information on the Summer Tour/Spring Tour for College Students, Ms. Parsley Tour (trial tour for
women in their 20s); and One-Day Visit to SDF for Women etc. is available on the MOD website.
11
Tours to experience the daily life of the Ground, Maritime, or Air SDF. To participate in an Enlistment
Experience Program, please contact local Provincial Cooperation Offices.
jurisdiction, and discloses such information upon due request.
See ▶ Reference 75(Record of Information Disclosure by the Ministry of Defense (FY2013))
(2) Appropriate Operation of the Whistleblower Protection System
The MOD set up a system to handle public interest-related information disclosures by its
officials and employees and outside workers, establishing an internal contact desk for dealing
with information disclosure that is in the public interest and whistleblower protection.
(3) Engagement in Policy Evaluation
The MOD has been conducting the evaluation of various policies based on its policy evaluation
system, and in FY2013, it assessed 24 such policies, beginning with the “Strengthening of
Systems relating to Japan-Australia and Japan-U.S.-Australia Defense Cooperation.”